余
surname Yu; (literary) I; me; extra; surplus; remaining; remainder after division; (following numerical value) or more; in excess of (some number); residue (math.); after; I; me
Closest English meanings
I·me·surplus·remaining·more
The Calligrapher — Mǐ Fú 米芾
Song eccentric genius of dynamic, 'flying' running script.
Song calligrapher (1051–1107), master of running script — Song eccentric genius ('crazy Zhang, idiot Mi') whose running script alternates discipline with glee. Song dynasty
Cultural Story
余 is the humble "I" of the exiled poet. Su Shi signs letters 余 when far from court; the 楚辞 speaks in this first person. It also means what is left: 余年 the remaining years, 余味 the aftertaste of a poem. A cook saves 余下 broth for morning. To be 余 is to be both speaker and surplus.
Common words & phrases
- 余下 remaining · left over · the rest
- 业余 amateur · spare time · after-hours · leisure
- 多余 superfluous · excess · redundant · surplus
- 余年 remaining years · the rest of life · later years
- 余力 spare energy · surplus effort · reserve strength
- 余味 aftertaste · lingering taste · reverberation
Read the story behind the character
After the meal the 余下 rice goes into the fridge; a worker joins an 业余 painting class. The report notes no 多余 cost, and a retiree speaks of quiet 余年 at home. A tea drinker savors the 余味 of the cup. Leftover, spare, and lingering — the word tracks what remains after the day's main business.
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